Kelly Clarkson wasn't the only country star to show up in support of Reba McEntire at the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors, but she did give the most moving speech.

Clarkson — who is also McEntire's daughter-in-law — performed "Fancy" at the gala on Dec. 2 in Washington, D.C., which aired on CBS on Wednesday night (Dec. 26), but before that, she offered a few personal words about their relationship.

"Thank you so much, Reba, for listening to me vent as an artist," she says in the video above. "Thank you so much for comforting me on the phone through my tears like a friend and thank you for being a really rad grandma for my kids."

"If we're all being honest, sometimes when we meet our heroes it doesn't always pan out how you hope," Clarkson said, starting her remarks, "but meeting Reba, being friends with her and eventually becoming family has been one of the highlights of my life — truly."

The 2018 Kennedy Center Honors were a two-night affair, with the annual Artist's Dinner being an equal red carpet event the night before the actual gala. In the photo gallery from both nights you'll find McEntire in separate outfits, chatting with fellow honorees or posing alone or with boyfriend Skeeter Lasuzzo.